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Consider the following examples: "Repressive" OR "Empowering" Strategies? EMPOWERING strategies are aimed at *Respecting, protecting, restoring human rights of those affected
* Supporting, assisting
* Enabling, facilitating
* Increasing agency of those involved (= principle of self-determination/Self- representation
* Eliminating root causes
An example of repressive state strategy to combat trafficking was given by the Special Rapporteur Ms Coomaraswamy in her Report to the Commission on Human Rights on Trafficking in 1997. For example, The Philippines and Bangladesh had both placed bans on women leaving as domestic workers, following reports of the bad treatment they received from employers, but this did not stop recruitment agencies from seeking and finding other channels, albeit illegal ones. This increased dependency of women on these agencies, and thus also the danger of exploitation and abuse by them. Such strategies not only are ineffective to stop exploitation of migrant women, but may actually harm women and increase their vulnerability to exploitation. The following examples show that, however one approaches the problem, one can always choose "empowering" instead of "repressive" strategies. Examples of Empowering strategies are: 1. In addressing trafficking for prostitution: * understand and accept sex work as legitimate occupation
* do information and education work on the rights of sex workers
* recognise the agency of women and girls
* strengthen political and civil rights of those in sex work
* increase range of choices of women in prostitution, by increasing access to resources, training, jobs
* mobilise and organise sex workers for self-representation and participation at all levels -policy formation, working conditions, social environment, etc..
Possible results: + growth of self-esteem of sex workers
+ increase of autonomy
+ safer and better working conditions
+ participation in community/society,
+ de-isolation and de-marginalisation
+ break down stigmatisation
2. In addressing trafficking as Organised Crime: * help women to understand their rights - civil and in criminal processes * set up comprehensive victim assistance programmes, including legal support * organise for self-protection / defence * carry out class action
Possible results: + the interests of victims are looked after + growth in self-confidence + brings cases out of the individual sphere and informs and politicises public
3. In addressing trafficking as a problem of (illegal) migration : * create possibilities for legal migration for all kinds of work, including sex work * make immigration procedures simpler and transparent * respect rights of migrants irrespective of legal status * acknowledge and give just remuneration for work done by migrant women * accord independent residence status for (immigrant)partners of nationals / resident immigrants
Possible results: + widens choices for work sites for migrant workers + strengthens rights of migrants + reduces the power of the middle-men and "traffickers"
4. In addressing trafficking as a (migrant) labour problem: * recognise the need for and contribution of migrant workers, esp. women, in the globalised economy, including in the sex and service industries * regularise worker status and rights of migrant women in all sectors * ensure safe and just working conditions in all sectors * carry out civil and worker rights education among women migrant workers of all sectors * facilitate organisation of women migrant workers in all sectors for self-representation and advocacy
Possible results: + women migrant workers have stronger (legal) status and rights + reduces role of middlemen and corrupt officials and unjust employers + higher efficiency and productivity, gain for the host country + justice for women migrant workers
Questions for discussion: 1. Will you be able to implement "empowering" strategies in addressing trafficking in your country? 2. If yes, what do you need to support your work? 3. If not, what are the obstacles? How can you overcome these obstacles?
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